Final Reflection
For this assignment, I was required to go back to Blog Post #1 and read my response about what I want my future classroom to be like. I really enjoyed this assignment because as I was reading my first post, the thoughts and feelings I had while writing it all came back to me. I remember answering the questions, "What will your classroom be like? How will your students learn? What teaching methods will you use?", but not really knowing how I would carry out my answers, especially with kindergarten to second graders. A lot of my answers to those questions are the same, but through EDM 310 I feel I have learned how to effectively carry out those answers.
In my first post, I stated I want my classroom to be a place that engages my students. I stated I want to get on their levels and teach in a way that is most likely going to help them learn the material. I want to ask myself this question: "If my teacher when I was that age taught this material to me in this particular way, would I be able to comprehend and apply it?" I never stated I wanted to incorporate technology into my teaching, but as I was rereading my post, I realized in order to be the type of teacher I want to be, I have to use technology in my classroom. Kids are so familiar with technology that it's the best method to use to help engage students and help them learn material.
I also stated I want to have one day a week set aside to just have fun. I want to do a fun activity that will excite my students and reward them for working hard all week. In my post, I had mentioned doing a science experiment. While science experiments are still an option, EDM 310 has provided me with so many more options that I would have never considered if I hadn't taken this course. I would love to make a green screen movie about books we have read during the week. I think the children would love being able to act out our story and bring it to life. I want to motivate my students to work hard through the week, and I believe the tools I have learned in EDM 310 are perfect motivators because they are different. They aren't coloring sheets or puzzles, they are hands on activities.
Hands on activities are also something I want in my classroom. I believe these types of exercises and crucial to learning. If a student can apply the material, he or she has really learned it and comprehends it. EDM 310 has provided me with so many exciting hands on activities that can teach students not only the material I'm teaching, but also how to be independent learners. To me, the most important thing is that my students enjoy learning and fully understand the material. Throughout this course, I have realized that the use of technology is a great tool to use to achieve both of those things.
With all this being said, if I could change what I wrote at the beginning of the semester, I would include technology as a tool I would use to accomplish all the things I want to do as a teacher. These kids are growing up in a technology based world, if I teach them using the simple methods I was taught with, they are going to be bored in my classroom. Instead of viewing technology as my enemy, I'm going to use it as my friend, and together we will expose the kids to all the endless possibilities the world has to offer.
Part 2
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